Month: May 2021

We are on a roll, clearly!
Such beautiful days recently, but with the clear skies come icy nights!
Jeff got out and trimmed back the lawn… it was getting a bit jungle-like.

The fire really did a great job overnight! Still warm and smoking that afternoon though! So I kicked all the big logs in closer and added more small stuff… it caught on again pretty smartly – no need for matches

Of course Miss Flea had to jump up on the boards next to me to check out what was happening!

Veggie patch leftovers!

I am glad a lot of the plots are raised beds etc… easy to pick a spot and work just there (and try to ignore the rest)

Poor lebanese zucchinis…
I didn’t really use many. I usually cook zucchinis with tomatoes and because the tomatoes took an eon to ripen… these zucchinis will just be compost.
This type doesn’t keep well either. I will go back to the blackjack or similar. Its more convenient when they keep longer after being picked.

I got a reasonable way in to the clearing but it wasn’t actually on my to do list today, and to finish it properly is going to take a while with all the twitch.

This was the pavlova I took to the party at Sharons last night. Yum.
I have been pretty busy today so I didn’t sit to post process the party photos… but here is another fire works photo because they are pretty…

Cousin Leonie came over this morning and we sorted out our packs and gear for our (hopeful) hike.
I still have to call parks in the morning to see if I can reserve places – due to covid, you need to register for all multi day hikes to make sure there aren’t too many people on the track.
I would be surprised if people were stampeding out mid week at the start of winter but…

If plans come good, then we are looking to drive to Sheffield tomorrow (Monday) and stay at some accommodation there which is a good deal closer than starting from here… I think its close to a 3 hour drive but can’t remember

The weather isn’t forecast to be that fantastic… so will make choices on the fly about whether to stay one or two nights.
Shame since last time when Jeff and I went we didn’t see the main sights because of the weather and little visibility!

But… its all beautiful and it will be nice to get away… fingers crossed!

Hope your weekend was fantastic!
Cheers!

Hello!
Weekend is half done…
Yesterday I mad a good start at cleaning up the back where we are working on the trees

Sharons husband Paul (and friends) have been doing a fabulous job of milling the trees – we’ve now got pretty much all that was on the neighbours property done.

I wanted to get this pile reduced and start clearing along the fence near the highway so when the next stage happens with the ‘proper’ mill, they haven’t got a horrible mess to work around

Like chopping down this weedy tree and the other plants that have grown up

I love a good fire… started mine off in a box and piled on stuff
I pulled the pile around a lot, kicked it and shouted at it first.
Glad no-one was watching this bonfire abuse… actually I was trying to scare out any remaining rabbits. None seemed to be in there and none came shooting out after I set it alight either.
I did start it on the edge so they would have time to run out as well.
(That would have been so bad, but I didn’t see any so thats good)

It took hold pretty well
I cut down the tree and added those on as well… once it was hot enough the green stuff burned no problem

The chooks went into a bit of a huddle, unsure how to get past the scary fire to their coop.

Notice someone missing???
Flea of course. Found here in the coop stuffing her face and completely unconcerned about the raging fire

Nothing fazes that chook!

Got my parang out to shave off twigs from wood I want to keep for our inside fire. No point wasting the good stuff

And on a really really long stick I toasted a few marshmallows … was actually a challenge getting close enough to the fire! She was kicking out some heat!

I love mine cremated…

I could take fire photos all night…

Glowing!

The fire had died down a lot of course overnight but today it was easy enough to get it going again to chuck a few more things on.

There are some pretty big chunks of wood in there, so it will burn for a while.
The whole area is looking better already and more manageable.
Need to get in there with a rake to gather up more of the bits and pieces.

Maybe tomorrow afternoon.
In the morning I am meeting my cousin Leonie as we are madly planning a multiday hike – leaving Tues. morning if we can get ourselves sorted!!!
We’ve been trying to do this for ages. But life keeps sticking its nose in and getting in the way haha
We must be stark raving mad… its pretty damn cold out there at night! (Yes, we will be camping.)
Fingers crossed we’ll be able to do it. Still waiting to talk to parks as with Covid, we have to register to make sure not too many people are using the trail at the same time. (Possibly an overkill rule for here and in winter but thats the way of the world right now)

Hopefully tomorrow I’ll find time to process all the photos from tonights outing at Sharon and Pauls…Cracker night! So much fun!

Enjoy your weekend!!
Cheers

Hi! Above… dehydrated lemons… last of Rubys that I could get. I raided her tree the day before settlement!

I squeezed the rest and freezing them in cubes as I’ve really been enjoying lemon and honey tea in the evening when I remember! (My cup is heating up now… its an icy night!)

So! The garden out back. The one I said there would be NO TOMATOES in.
Yah… I have no disciplinarian skills with my veggies
Like the cat, they do what they want.

The herb spiral was swamped and the feverfew going a bit mad

I was keen to get my path back.

Time to get brutal. Everything out! Even the borage. (It will grow back I am sure)

Several barrow loads later…

Pretty positive that a million more tomatoes will pop up again next season.
Pity these were so late. I got some good fruit off them but there was so much more.. no chance to ripen and the ones that are red now aren’t very tasty.
I know I can do green tomato stuff, but I have to be honest with myself –
I wont.

Path looking like a path again

I went down the back to start collecting some of those woodchips for my newly cleared path and gave the chooks some treats on the way

Nice to start using the huge pile of woodchips. Of course Flea was right up there on the pile with me – such a stickybeak!

Looking 100% better
Spotted a worm escaping from the herb patch once I got into it! So long and speedy!

The herb spiral is now visible again and the sage and chives can breath again!

I then put straw over everything…

I did relent and leave some sweet pea seedlings in the ground.

A bit of an improvement

The raised beds will still need tackling but that can be another day

So good to have tons of woodchip… I built the path up a long way!!

Anyway, thats all from me!
I spent the evening setting our bonfire alight and doing some yardwork near the fallen trees but thats a story for tomorrow!
Cheers!

We caught up with Jeff for a bit! (He accidentally went up a lookout hill!)
Then continued along the top

Came across some cool bejewelled webs

We caught up to Jeff again who was sitting in a sheltered spot waiting as he thought it might be time for lunch.

It was most enjoyable sitting down for a sandwich and a rest! Food always tastes extra amazing outside when hiking!

It was not quite as enjoyable getting back up and walking up another hill… our legs seemed to protest quite a lot
Rose and Fiona stopped to ‘admire the view’

(Yes in reality it was to stop and whinge about our legs hurting haha)

Well… lets be honest… the view was worth absorbing for a while

Onward… (Jeff the Speck again)

Smaller Jeff Speck…

Then there was a bit of trauma for Rosemary as we encountered a Leech Ambush

Can you see them? I think only two can be seen in above photo, but there were three big ones waving about on the rocks in the middle of the path. When we stopped to look (Rosemary freaking out because leeches are NOT her thing) they started stampeding towards us as well as their mates in the grass at the side of the path!!

I must say, our pace picked up quite a lot after that encounter (Pretty much Fiona and I trying to keep up with Rosemary haha)(Who wasn’t standing about waiting for a Leech Attack)

And yes, I found mud

And Jeff found a pademelon

Let me try to crop in…

Much cuter than leeches

It was nice going down the hills for a change

A bit of wattle was out… way early I reckon

And down we went to the beach!

I never really tire of this spot

And because I can, I am just going to bombard you with rock photos… (and maybe some sand and seaweed)

(I think I love the yellow and orange lichen rocks the best)

And now… more rocks!

Oh… and looking up for a final Jeff Speck photo!!

He might be hard to see… (Almost dead centre of image)

See the cutting at the edge of water? Apparently barges came in to collect iron ore back in the day…

That would explain the colour of some of the rocks!

Finally tore ourselves away from the rocks and got to the end of the beach for the final ‘up’

Calm!

Although there was the sound of a bit of huffing and puffing…

Enjoying the last views of Anniversary Bay

It was a spectacular day out with family! Everyone had a great time no matter their route or pace!
Great way to spend the day!
Cheers

Sunday Hike!
Fiona, her husband Paul and one of her sons, Ruben, joined us for the hike from Rocky Cape to Sisters Beach!

Cool day but perfect for walking

Hazy day too!

Social distancing no problem. We were many kilometres away from people!

And up we go!

The views start off pretty good!

Puff puff, pant pant… the first few hills totally kept us warm!

Nice way for Rosemary to catch up with Fiona!

And still up we go!

Narrow paths…

The guys (longer legs and dare I say… a whole lot fitter) forge on ahead

Found a little lookout

Paul enjoying the day out!

Even some blue skies to admire!

Started seeing more of the scrubby bushland than the barren hills

Looking west –

Calm day on the strait!

Looking back –

We are still going up!

A bit before this, Paul and Ruben took the coast track.
We decided to go inland

Sometime I’d like to come in this way and just go down to Cathedral Rocks and back. Usually by the time I reach that point I am too done in to consider side trips!

Pretty grasses

It was a really lovely day for hiking. We (Rosemary, Fiona and I) stopped a reasonable amount – enjoyed the views and just catching up with each other

(Looking back)

Pretty little flowers

Looks like we have to go up a bit more!

Teeny Tiny Jeff!!

So… Rosemary is easy to see… Jeff is not so easy to see haha

Its funny to look back because it actually doesn’t feel like it took that long to walk so far

Anyway, thats a good way into the walk from Sunday!
Will swing by tomorrow to finish off the story!!

Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend!
Cheers!

Hi!!
Big day today – long hike over the Postmans Track with family.
Aching all over…
Will just look back to yesterdays outing to Sharons to introduce Rosemary to the lady that is responsible for my soap addiction!

The alpacas posing for a photo!!
And apparently they are not far from ‘unpacking’ which is the term given to them giving birth… I LOVE that haha

I was super keen to see Jezabel. Remember the baby calf we went looking for a while back when she was first born?

She is half jersey and half highland …. and sooooo cute

The tuft of hair on top just does me in!!

Seriously!!!

Sharon giving one of the ‘belles’ a good scratching

And Hamish who wandered over to see what all the fuss was about

Curly haired fellow!

While we were out at Sharons I cut a few of the demo soaps that I did at the last workshop… love them!

Sharon only wanted one done until she saw the cut… then I had to do more!

Yesterday Rose and I also squeezed in a little soap making!
How pretty are these for a first batch of soap??? (Photo credit to Rosemary below!)

Anyway, dragging my very tired self off to bed!
Hope you are all having a splendid weekend

Cheers

What a lovely day today! Tassie weather being nice!
Rosemary and I were up reasonably late with a bottle of wine and a lot of chat to catch up on!
Today we wandered through town then walked along the beach at Fossil Bluff and soaked up the late autumn sun!

The tides and wind must have been working overtime because the sand had buried a lot of the boulders and pebbles we normally see here

And since I didn’t have my camera… all these photos are courtesy of Rosemary’s phone!

Always something cool to see down here

Amazing weathered tree

Lucky Rosemary is great with the camera!

We had some fun with selfies… me pointing out good backgrounds to use haha

Then a proper one…

Because the tide was low we got to walk up around the shore a lot further than usual

Lucky me – Rosemary brought me presents for my birthday!
Gorgeous hand made ceramic bowls

And upside down…

And this amazing set –

How clever is she? I am rapt with my new bowls!

Speaking of clever… my niece Emma who couldn’t make it down this time sent my birthday presents that she created especially for me!
I hadn’t seen her artwork in quite some time and I was a bit blown away by how beautiful these are!

I totally love them!!

Speaking of cats… Pip!! Who normally runs and hides like a woose-puss anytime someone arrives at the door, comes out to greet Rosemary and roll over for a belly rub! (Who is this cat and what did he do with the real Pip??)

And then today>>???

My lap wasn’t good enough so he walked over to my sisters lap and made himself extremely comfortable!!
Traitor haha

May we all sleep as comfortably as this!
Cheers!

I’ll start with some Jeff photos!!
When my parents visited, we went up to a small town where there was a nice fabric shop and Jeff chose some material…
He wanted some scrubs for work – but didn’t want the plain work ones.
Luckily my Mother is an amazing dressmaker and sorted out some patterns and make them up for him!
They arrived by post today.

Probably should have ironed them before the photos but he was excited to try them on and get some snaps to show Mum.

They sit well, have pockets and are really comfortable as well as being in some fun designs.
He is going to be the swishest looking nurse on Bass Ward!

I’ve hardly picked up the camera since I last dashed past my blog.
I had another market at one of the local churches and did really well (told ya we win some and lose some!) So good to come home with empty boxes.

I also did a bit of a soap making day with cousins and an actual workshop on Sunday, so I’ve been keeping busy!

‘Dragons Blood!’ Not what I would call understated but definitely a bit of fun!

I popped in to Ruby’s place on Monday to help Margie with a final clean up as settlement on the house is now done. (I also unashamedly raided the lemon tree for the last time!)
I’ll get to and draw a name for Ruby’s Knee Rug soon and let you know!

I’ve also been getting ready as I am set to drive to Launceston to collect my sister Rosemary who should be here (Fingers crossed no more travel hiccoughs this time) tomorrow!
The weather isn’t supposed to be too tragic so there will be some chances to get out and about… but not least sit by the fire with a wine or two and talk our heads off since its been a couple of years since I’ve seen her!

On that note… I better get off this chair and into bed so I am bright eyed and bushy tailed for tomorrow!!!
Hope you are all doing fabulously well
Cheers

Pip isn’t waiting for winter… probably looking for rabbits.
We’ve also got a young black cat hanging about the back veranda! 🙁
Its very cute. I think chasing moths of which there are heaps at the moment
I’ve left some food out… not sure if lost or feral. Pip has spotted her/him and is MOST intrigued.
I hope its got a warm safe place – and hopefully hunting mice!

Poor Flossie! What a time to be moulting! She looks pretty dreadful! Makes me want to dress her in a warm jacket, but I suppose let nature do its thing.

Fungi are out at the moment. Haven’t been anywhere to go properly seeking them out though.
This is just in the yard

Time to collect some carrot seeds? I’ve not really done this successfully before…
Perhaps its time to try again!

It was a bit breezy out there, so here are a couple of dodgy purple flower photos.
No idea what the above is but below is the salvia

And I did a double batch of soap with the Japanese Honeysuckle fragrance…one with lacy bottom and one without.

Super dodgy lighting – sorry. These will look a lot prettier in natural light rather than under the tungsten light!
Anyway, I just needed to add in some standard bars for my market stall as they were all getting a bit fancy and of course, then the price has to go up a bit.
I need to make sure I keep up making some of the $4 bars (Bargain hey? haha)

Anyway, short and sweet from me!
Cheers

Hi!
Nothing notable happened today.
We did sit out in the garage while it poured rain and split a heap of kindling (Lets be honest… Jeff did most of it. I am much slower. Even being careful I still managed to somehow get a bit of wood flipping back either side of my blade to smash into my hand!! (Now sporting two lumpy bruises))
(Not to mention straining a muscle/tendon in my finger/hand opening the fridge door last night, so I am feeling extra klutzy right now haha)

I went down to feed the girls a snack, came back up and they are all in the backyard! Cheeky snots. Didn’t realise the big gate was open. Opportunists!
You can see the day is a bit dismal looking (This was about 2pm)
We did get out for a short hike around the river – kitted up in our rain gear. Got more sweaty than rained on!!

Also on my list was to pick the remaining tomatoes. Well… I quit after filling the bucket. Too lazy to go find another bucket plus it was cold and raining so… time to enjoy the fire.

The lettuce is starting to flounder. Still got enough for dinners.
If I was smart I’d sort some hothouse space and put some more in. (Smart and motivated…. hmmm)
Anyways, nothing else monumental to report from today.
Hope everyone had/has a good Monday!
Cheers

Cat TV!! Pip engrossed in watching little mousie mouses dash across the screen!!